The Impact of Flooding on People and Property
1. Introduction
Flooding is one of the most typical and widespread natural disasters, which consequences can greatly impact the community. According to the National Flood Forum, there are around 4000 homes and 2000 commercial properties at risk of flooding in the UK (National Flood Forum, 2016). Moreover, the cost of floods to the UK economy was estimated £1.3 billion in 2007 (Environment Agency, 2008). In this essay, I will explore what is a flood, the history of floods in the UK as well as their causes and consequences. I will also touch upon the topic of environmental management and analyze how an effective floods management system (EMS) can help to protect people and property from this type of natural disaster.
2. What is a Flood?
The term ‘flood’ is used to describe a large amount of water that covers an area that is normally dry (National Flood Forum, 2016). Floods can occur due to various reasons such as heavy rainfalls, melting snow or a dam failure. Flash floods happen very suddenly due to excessive rainfall over a short period of time and they often lead to extensive damage (National Flood Forum, 2016).
3. The History of Floods in the UK
The UK has a long history of flooding with some major events being recorded since medieval times. In 1236, for example, England was hit by what became known as ‘The Great Flood’, when heavy rains led to widespread flooding across the country (Goudie, 2006). This event caused severe damage to crops and infrastructure as well as loss of human life.
More recently, in 2007, severe flooding hit parts of Yorkshire and Gloucestershire causing around £3 billion worth of damage (BBC News, 2007). This event was described as the worst flood in England since 1947 and led to the evacuation of around 2000 people from their homes (BBC News, 2007).
4. The Causes of Flooding
There are various reasons why floods can occur. One of the most common causes is heavy rainfall. When it rains heavily over a prolonged period of time, the ground becomes saturated and any additional water has nowhere else to go but to run off into rivers and streams (Environment Agency, 2016a). If rainfall is particularly heavy, river levels can rise very quickly and this can lead to flooding.
Another cause of floods is melting snow. When snow melts quickly due to warm weather or heavy rainfalls, it can also lead to rivers overflowing their banks (Environment Agency, 2016b).
A third cause of flooding is dam failure. Although dams are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, they can sometimes be overwhelmed if they experience sustained heavy rainfalls or if an earthquake occurs (vironment Agency, 2016c). If a dam fails, large amounts of water can be released very quickly and this can cause flash floods downstream.
5. The Consequences of Flooding
Flooding can have severe consequences for people and property. One of the most serious consequences is loss of human life. People can be killed by drowning or by being swept away by floodwaters. In addition, people can also be injured by debris that gets carried along by floodwaters or by exposure to cold water (National Flood Forum, 2016).
Another consequence of flooding is damage to property. Floodwaters can damage buildings and contents by causing structural damage or by creating an environment that is conducive to the growth of mould and mildew (National Flood Forum, 2016). In addition, floodwaters can also damage roads, railways and other types of infrastructure.
Finally, flooding can also have an impact on the environment. Floodwaters can damage ecosystems by disturbing the natural habitat of plants and animals or by washing away topsoil (National Flood Forum, 2016). In addition, floodwaters can also contaminate water supplies with chemical pollutants or sewage.
6. Environmental Management: Floods Management Systems (EMS)
An effective floods management system (EMS) is essential to protect people and property from this type of natural disaster. There are various components that need to be in place for an EMS to be effective.
One of the most important components is early warning systems. These systems can give people advance warning of impending floods so that they can take steps to protect themselves and their property. Early warning systems can include weather forecasts, river level monitors and rainfall gauges (Environment Agency, 2016d).
Another important component of an EMS is flood defences. These are structures that are designed to hold back or redirect floodwaters so that they do not cause damage to property or loss of human life. Flood defences can include levees, dams, reservoirs and flood walls (Environment Agency, 2016e).
In addition, an EMS should also include plans for evacuating people from areas that are at risk of flooding. These plans should be well-rehearsed so that they can be executed quickly and efficiently if a flood does occur. Finally, an EMS should also include plans for providing assistance to people who have been affected by floods. This assistance can include providing temporary accommodation, food and medical supplies (Environment Agency, 2016f).
7. Conclusion
In conclusion, flooding is one of the most typical and widespread natural disasters, which consequences can greatly impact the community. The UK has a long history of flooding with some major events being recorded since medieval times. The causes of flooding include heavy rainfall, melting snow and dam failure. The consequences of flooding include loss of human life, damage to property and impact on the environment. An effective floods management system (EMS) is essential to protect people and property from this type of natural disaster.